The Beast . . .Rumor said the powerful Nicolai DeMarco could command the heavens, that the beasts below did his bidding . . . and that he was doomed to destroy the woman he took as wife. It was whispered he was not wholly human—as untamed as his tawny mane and slashing amber eyes.The Beauty . . .Impoverished aristocrat Isabella Vernaducci would defy death itself to rescue her imprisoned brother. She’d even brave the haunted, accursed lair of the lion—the menacing palace of legendary, lethal Don Nicolai DeMarco.The Bargain . . .Then Isabella met a man whose growl was velvet, purring heat, whose eyes held dark, all-consuming desire. And when the don commanded her to become his bride, she went willingly into his muscled arms, praying she’d save his tortured soul . . . not sacrifice her life.

MY REVIEW Summary:
Isabella is in desperate need to save her brother who has been captured and tortured, and goes to the only Don she knows that is powerful enough to help her. Full of courage and strength she heads up to his valley, rumored to be ridden with lions, she knows she could very well perish, but desperation and fear for her brother keeps her going forward until she makes it to his home…his lair. After meeting the rumored beast, Don Nicolaie DeMarco, she makes a pact with him, his help in rescuing her brother in exchange to marriage with Nicolae. Isabella knowing that she doesn’t have much choice, other than letting her brother die, she agrees and with that agreement a desire is awakened in them both. Although Nicolae is lethal, Isabella, even though she fears him at times, starts to see the good parts of him, and slowly starts to fall in love with him, and put all her trust in him despite the danger that he poses to her….in her mind Love is powerful enough to conquer any curse that could destroy them….

The Hero (Nicolai De Marco)
Nicolai, has been born into a family that was cursed, and has lived with the beast of the lion within him all of his life. Ever since his father turned on his mother in a moment of rage and where the beast overcame him, destroying his mother and almost his son as well…Nicolae is determined that he finds a way to break the curse, especially since Isabella is the first woman who is more loving and gentle and doesn’t deserve to be torn to pieces by her husband. Hoping that she will be enough to save his soul….

The Heroine ( Isabella Vernaducci)
Isabella, has already lost her parents and the only family that she has left is her brother. Desperate to make sure to see him alive once more, she goes to the one man that is powerful enough to rescue him. Isabella, has lived in fear and on the run but even though his own people fear him, Isabella doesn’t fear him as they do, she sees him as the man that he is not the beast that he can become, and hopes that her love for him will be strong enough…

My Thoughts
Lair Of The Lion is a single title by Christine Feehan, and as this is probably my favorite paranormal author, I couldn’t resist reading it, even though its not a part of any of her wonderful series, this still had the same ring of sensuality, danger and intriguing plot….and having just finished it, was a bit disappointed to see it end. I could hardly keep myself away from this one and read it in only a few hours. Lair of the Lion is a story that takes place in the Italian Alps, and is mixed with folklore and definitely goes under the category of “Beauty and the Beast” where two people are consumed by a inflaming passion that turns into a powerful love…such a remarkable read and I am so glad that I was able to read this one. Definitely gets a score of 5 for me…there was nothing about this story that I didn’t like….Feehan definitely held me captivated from beginning to end!!!

My Favorite Quote “You haven’t forgiven me yet, ” he observed thoughtfully. “I thought we had dispensed with your unfavorable opinion of me,” She managed her haughtiest tone “I see nothing in my behavior that would lead you to believe that. I was merely polite, as good breeding commands,”“Really,” His voice low, one eyebrow shooting up. Nicolai simply reached out, almost in slow motion, his palm curling slowly around the nape of her neck. Fire raced through her body at the touch of his lips on hers. Every muscle clenched tightly. His lips moved against hers, a slow teasing of senses, awakening her to a world of sensuality.

About Christine Feehan

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 50 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, & the Sisters of the Heart Series. All five series hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.

IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself.